When I started looking at colleges, I knew I wanted to be away from home. I knew I wanted to be somewhere different for a little while. I knew the major I wanted, I knew what size of school I wanted, and I knew I didn’t want to be in the Deep South or on the East Coast. So, the Midwest seemed the best option. I really only applied to Drake, and just like that, the realization of leaving the place I loved dawned on me. I was beyond excited, but a little scared too. I was the only one from my entire state going to Drake.
A 30-minute drive to the airport and two flights later, I wasn’t home anymore. I was in a place that had rolling hills instead of mountains, and fields instead of forests. I had officially made it to Iowa. It wasn’t until I watched my family drive away in our rental car that I realized I was alone. I was this small girl from Oregon among a sea of peers from all corners of the Midwest.
I had a lot of catching up to do. There were so many things no one told me about moving halfway across the country, and here are just a few.1. Sports, sports, sports
Hockey is huge. I’ve seen two hockey games my entire life and now I’m listening to everyone around me talk about how amazing hockey is, or how great the Minnesota Wild or the Chicago Blackhawks are. 90 percent of the time I’m extremely lost. High school sports are also pretty big. Back home, my high school athletic teams were somewhat lacking. Yeah, we were good at soccer and lacrosse, but no one really went to games. Especially football. Here, even if you’ve graduated, you still follow your school’s teams. Some of my friends have even driven back home for championships.
2. Stranded at school
Being from Oregon, I don’t really have the opportunity to drive home for the weekend or when breaks roll around. So far, I’ve only been home for Christmas break. I spent fall break, Thanksgiving, and spring break with family friends or girls on my floor. I’m eternally grateful for how generous others are to make sure I’m not stranded at school, but I envy everyone who gets to spend a night or two in their own bed.
3. Learn your vocabulary
Water fountains are bubblers. Soda is pop. And, according to my roommate, it’s “ham-mock,” not hammock (this is still up for debate). Casserole is a hot dish. Fred Meyer’s? No such thing, only Hy-Vee. Oregon is Orygun, and no one knows how to say bag properly.
4. Drive carefully, my friends
I may not have a car, but I occasionally snag rides from friends when I need to make a run to the mall or Target. These trips are sometimes the most terrifying car rides I’ve ever experienced. No one uses their turn signals when they change lanes, and the lines in the road seem to be a formality. When I was in Chicago for Thanksgiving, I genuinely panicked every time I got in the car. Everyone speeds and honks at each other. Back home, I only honked when I genuinely needed to, and everyone was respectful of each other. Out here, it’s every vehicle for itself.
5. Expanding your food horizons
Cheese curds, fried butter, and corn, oh my! Since arriving in Des Moines for college, I think I’ve been to McDonalds more times than I care to admit. (Sorry Mom). Being a broke college student means being cheap. Which means no organic fresh produce like back home. And, I hate to admit it, but I started buying margarine instead of normal butter because of how much cheaper it is. My life is slowly turning into a fried food universe, and my body hates me for it.
6. Extreme F.O.M.O.
Being away from home means I miss out on a lot of things happening in my house back home. I missed out on Easter, Thanksgiving, and my birthday this year, and an infinite amount of episodes we all watch and record on our DVR. My mom and I text almost every day, and shockingly, even my sister and I have a 50-day snap streak going. They still keep in touch, but the FOMO is all too real and there’s nothing I can do about it.
I know I’m at the right school. This is the place that will help me achieve my dreams and will help me grow, but it doesn’t mean once in awhile I wish I were home. I miss you, Oregon, but I’ll be back soon.
